The ayes have it. And the bill just read will be placed on today's First Reading Calendar. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. The Chief Clerk will please read the bills on the First Reading Calendar. THE
Bill No. 040089, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2004 within the General Fund from certain or all city offices, departments, board and commissions to certain or all City offices, departments, and commissions.
And Bill No. 040090, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriation for Fiscal Year 2004 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Director of Finance to the Department of Licenses and
And Bill No. 040333, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2004 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Director of Finance to the Department of Human Services, Office of Emergency Shelter Services.
And Bill No 040334, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2004 from the General Fund certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions and from the Grants Revenue Fund the Director of Finance provision to the General Fund.
And Bill 040365, an ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2004 within the Grants Revenue Fund from the Director of grants to the Director of Finance.
Bill No. 040154, an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property on behalf of the City of Philadelphia to extend the term of a lease agreement for portions of the buildings and parking lot located at 4700 Wissahickon Avenue, under certain terms and conditions.
The Chair agrees. It is my understanding that we have no bills to be considered today on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Therefore, do we have any speeches on part of the Minority?
Thank you, Madam President. Yesterday, in listening to the the attorneys and the large fees that are being budgeted dealing with the federal probe, I couldn't help but think that 2 and a half million dollars and rising is a really steep number and any way we may be able to discuss with the new solicitor who is not only new but also bright and has great lineage, I understand, so he's the man for the job right now to be creative. And I hope we can pass this along to him. The federal court in Philadelphia has a select group of attorneys that apply, go through a rigorous process where the judges and others down at the court approve them to be on a list for court appointment for people who can't afford attorneys. Unlike the state court system in City Hall, in the Criminal Justice Center, at 1801 Vine, at 34 South 11th where it's an open list. You apply, you get on. There's probably thousands on that state list which probably only a hundred of very qualified, extraordinarily qualified, criminal attorneys who are willing to devote part of reduced rate. And the rate is $90 an hour in court, $90 an hour out of court. The cap for felony cases is 5200 and the cap for grand jury representation, which I believe is the only thing that we've been talking about in this matter, is $1200 per case. Anything in excess of those numbers is an extraordinary filing and has to be approved by the court. I just think this is an area where there is a pool of very good attorneys, most of them, I'm sure, don't work in large firms that are -- the firms that we've been talking about are 15 or so of the largest firms in the City that have white color criminal practices. But I know that the minimum for any attorney who works for the City is $150 an hour and it goes up from there. And with the caps here on the federal system, I think it lends itself cries out for us having this approach to the same pool of talent that is willing to work at reduced fees for something that is in the public interest. And that's really what it is. It's a public interest sacrifice, if you will, on behalf of these attorneys. And I'm sure most, if not all, of them will be glad to be doing the kind of work that the Solicitor very honestly said would just take down the Solicitors Office and have it come to a halt if they became a criminal defense firm. So I think it's an alternative that should be looked at. I'm certainly recommending that it be looked at. It may be a couple million dollars in savings. So I'm passing it along to the Administration and the Solicitor and thanking my colleague and colleagues for raising this question so eloquently yesterday. Thank you.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the Minority? (No response.)
Seeing none, the Chair recognizes Councilman Cohen.
Thank you, Madam President. Life turns in strange ways. I'm strong advocate always of people getting involved and knowing their government.
Councilman, just a moment please. We can't hear you.
I've been a long-time advocate of people getting to know their government, getting government officials. And so again today we have a group of people from the community from whence I stem, the 17 Ward, who are here at City Council learning more about Council and Councilmembers. They're here on a local problem that exists in the area. And again, I ask my colleagues to please treat them graciously, listen to them, and go on from there. It's a tough way to get to know your government, but it's better than not knowing your government at all. Thank you and I would hope the President would welcome the people. I think they're to my left with signs. I know it's hard to say that somebody is to my left, but that's where they are. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much. We see their signs, Councilman. Ramos.
Thank you, Madam President. Back on April the 22nd, this Council approved of a resolution that I presented opposing a Senate bill referred as to the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act, and I want to report to the Council that the United States Senate turned down a bill that would put a cap on how much money would be available to asbestos victims. Asbestos has been a killer in the workforce and for the environment and the people of this country and many have loss their lives because they have not been able to afford and their families afford medical costs to cover their cost. So I just want to say that at times we present resolutions that are just presented and some of the public might not be interested in at the time, but that we added our voices in the United States Senate along with millions of people. And I want to commend the Laborers International Union of North American who has led this campaign in behalf of workers because asbestos abatement workers throughout this country for many years and this is a protection that's needed of workers who do this hard work and this dangerous work of asbestos abatement. Thank you, Madam President.
Thank you. Are there any other speeches on the part of the Majority? (No response.)
Seeing none, I would like to remind members of the Rules Committee that there is a public hearing scheduled at 1 o'clock today. Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell for a motion to adjourn.
Madam President, I move that Council is adjourned until Thursday, May 13th. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, May 13th. say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Council will stand adjourned until Thursday, May 13th. Thank you very much. (Council adjourned at 11:20 a.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of Thursday, May 6, 2004, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: STATED MEETING _________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR